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By Shamim Chowdhury
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Iranian Nobel Laureate and peace activist, Narges Mohammadi has been returned to prison soon after undergoing surgery for a potentially cancerous bone lesion in her right leg.
The 52-year-old was incarcerated after just two days in hospital, prompting human rights organizations to warn that her life is in jeopardy.
In a letter addressed to the United Nations Human Rights Council, more than 40 human rights groups called for Mohammadi's immediate release on medical grounds.
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The petition is part of growing international pressure on Iran, where Mohammadi has been incarcerated for nearly a decade under charges widely condemned by the global community.
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Who is Narges Mohammadi?
The letter reads: "Years of imprisonment, including long stretches in solitary confinement, have left Mohammadi in a precarious state of health, with multiple serious conditions that cannot be adequately treated in prison."
It urges Iranian authorities to cease the criminalization of human rights defenders and to release those whose health is deteriorating, especially when their sentences are politically motivated.
Despite the widespread attention her case has garnered since she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year, Iran's government has shown little sign of responding to calls for her release.
State media, which has largely ignored previous campaigns calling for Mohammadi's freedom, did not report on the latest appeal from human rights organizations.
What Health Issues Does Narges Mohammadi Have?
Mohammadi, who has been a vocal critic of the Iranian regime for years, is currently serving a prison sentence of 13 years and 9 months on charges related to her activism.
These include 'collusion against state security' and 'propaganda against the government'—charges that have drawn widespread international condemnation.
Despite the harsh conditions of her imprisonment, including stints in solitary confinement, she has remained an outspoken advocate for human rights, particularly in the wake of the 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, which sparked nationwide protests led by women.
Mohammadi's health has rapidly deteriorated during her time behind bars.
In 2022, Mohammadi suffered multiple heart attacks while imprisoned, and just last month, her lawyer revealed that doctors had discovered a bone lesion in her leg that raised fears of cancer.
After undergoing surgery on Thursday to remove part of the affected bone, Mohammadi was returned to prison despite her doctor's recommendation for further care and a request from her legal team to grant her a medical furlough.
Why Are Iranian Women Protesting?
The international community has raised alarm over what they view as a deliberate attempt by Iranian authorities to ignore Mohammadi's medical needs and to punish her for her political activism.
"The Iranian authorities have shown a complete disregard for her well-being," said Hadi Ghaemi, director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran. "This is not just a case of medical neglect; it's a case of deliberate cruelty."
Mohammadi's case is not an isolated one. Iran continues to grapple with intense internal unrest, fueled by widespread frustration over the country's dire economic situation, government corruption, and the ongoing repression of dissent.
The Iranian economy has been in freefall for years due to the affect of international sanctions.
Protests have become more frequent in Iran, with citizens demanding greater freedom and an end to theocratic rule.
Many of these protests have been led by women and have been met with violent crackdowns by Iranian authorities.
Last weekend, a prisoner named Saeid Gharibi set himself on fire in Shiraz's Adelabad Prison in protest of his 15-year sentence and the harsh conditions in which he was held.
Human rights groups have reported that Gharibi suffered severe burns but has been denied medical treatment. Iranian authorities have yet to acknowledge the incident.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press
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